Cut-off mechanism for sheet material



May 21, 1935. D. H. GOODWILLIE ET AL CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR SHEET MATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet l gmmtor/L Filed May 12, 1923 mm a May 21, 1935. M o. H. GOODWILLIE ET AL 2,002,346

CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed May 12, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

May 21, 1935. D. H. GOODWILLIE ET AL 2,

CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed May 12, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet s May 21, 1935. GQQDWILLIE r 2,002,346

CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed Ma 12, 1923 s Sheets-Sheet 4 i Fig.5-

May 21, 1935.

D. H. GOODWILLIE r AL 2,002,346

CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed May 12, 1923 s Sheets-Sheet 5 5: a 1x T LU N o t 8 Q 1 I "I g Q 6: I I] :f r

flMozmqA.

ounc -STAT Patented May 21, 1935 our-ow MECHANISM For; snna'r to Libbey-Owens-Ford Ohio, a corporatlonof nection with the manufacture of'plateglass, it is apparent that similar apparatus mayv also'be usedadvantageously in the; cutting of window glass or sheet glass in plastic condition, and inthe cutting of other sheet material of asimilar nature.

It is well known that in the art of .glass making, cutting devices have been heretofore used for severing rolled'sheet glass while still in a plastic condition, but such devices have been usually un-' satisfactory, either on account of their severe mechanical action which produces shocks or strains in the cutting .and supporting mechanism, or by reason of theunsatisfactorynature of the cut produced by-such cutting ,means, especially the nature and character ,of the edge formed by the cutting tool on the sheet of glass remaining. on the supporting tables. It is very important in the manufacture ofplate glass that the edge produced by any cuttingtool on the main body of the glass sheet shall be such aslwl l permit the sheet of glass tobe subsequently pushed through the annealing ovens and stowing tools which are in formed edge on a, sheet leers by the generaluse; .A poorly of glass makes more hazardous the pushing of theglass from one position to another in the annealing. ovens. The

is particularly suited for produces a type ofcut anda on the sheet, which effective operationin the subsequentpushing or stowingof theglass plates;

, The cutting apparatus, subject cut. and divide into in plastic condition;

whichconstitutes the matter of the invention, maybe used to separate units plate glass which :has been dormed in sheets by means of any. of the usual rolling or casting processes, the

glass which is to be out being carried or supported on a number of successive tables, preferably of cast iron,

and set end to end in such, a manner that a small gap is provided between the front of i i of the preceding table, or

through which one table and the rear on a single table proout a strip of glass approximately the width of said zap, allowing it means. i p p g The cutting a paratus to fall or to be removed by other divides the sheet, as

originally formed, into separate units of relatively smaller size, so that the independent unit sheets or plates so produced may behandled and trans- Toledo, Ohio, assignors,

by theme assignments, Glass CompanyyToledo, Ohio -11 ferredto annealing ovens of the usual type more readily than would be possible with the original sheet, which is ordinarily of a size much'beyond the width of the usual type of annealing'oven. It has, been found convenient to roll out a sheet between flftyand sixty feet long, from which two unit plates are cut with square ends, so thatthey may be subsequently stowed in the leer or annealing oven with the usual tools.

, The cutting or severing of the glass sheets in plastic condition has heretofore been attempted by'the use of shearing cutters which act as knives and drop through the glass and into the gap between the tables and thus shear out a narrow strip of glass within thelimits of the gap. Various 15 roller and rotary cutting means have also been employed at various times to cut out a narrow strip of glass between the table edges in the gap as above disclosed.

' In none of the cutting means heretofore employed, however; have difliculties of operation and maintenance been entirely overcome, nor have anyZof them produced a type and character of edge on the cut glasswhich is desirable and necessary'for the subsequent handling of the separate sheets by pushing or stowing. i

Bearing in mind the objections to previous cutting means, asabove described, the general object of ourv invention is to provide an improved cutting mechanism for the purpose stated, and im- 3 proved means for operating the same, which will to a large extent obviate the dimcultieswhich have been encountered, and particularlyto provide a cutting mechanism which is accurate and reliable in, its operation and which will cut the glass cleanly without any tendency tocause waves or wrinkles therein. a a Fora more. complete understanding of our invention and the advantages resulting therefrom, thesame will be specificallyexplainedinconnection with the accompanyin drawings, which illustrate one embodiment thereof. Inthedrawings:; Figure l is a side elevation of the invention. 2 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but on a larger scale, and with parts broken away, or shownin' dotted lines, in order to show more completely the means for operating and guidingthe cutting elements.. v Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 4 -4 of Fig. 3, illustrating particularly the cutting elements and their relation to the tables which support the glass.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the cutting elements and cutter carriage as indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, but showing the cutters traversing the ends of the tables.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the cutting element, showing the same in side elevation during the process of cutting.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring for controlling the motor which operates the cutters, and showing in connection therewith the mechanism for actuating the starting switches.

As explained above, the present invention may be used in connection with any of the usual'processes for manufacturing sheet glass. In Fig.1 the reference numeral l indicates the delivery end of a rolling machine from which the sheet 2 is rolled out and delivered upon the surfaces of a series of tables 3 which advance in synchronism with the rolling machine. It is customary to use two intermediate tables, each'having' a surface of the same length as the plate to be out, and-two short end tables, which are adapted to receive the waste ends. These tables are supported by suitable wheels 4 on tracks 5 and are adapted to be advanced continuously with each batch of glass, and to be returned to their initial position after the glass has been transferred therefrom to the annealing ovens.

A cutter carriage 6 is disposed above the path of the tables 3, andis provided with supporting wheels 1 which are adapted to ride on tracks 8 disposed on opposite sidesof a transverse I-beam 9.. The carriage 6 supports a motor l0, whose shaft H drives a jack shaft ,l2which is mounted in suitable bearings on the carriage 6. Suitable mechanism is provided for moving the carriage 6 back and forth on the tracks 8. This mechanism, in the present instance, includes a sprocket wheel 13 secured on the shaft l2 and connected by a sprocket chain H to a sprocket wheel l5, secured on a shaft It. A pinion I1 is secured to the shaft l6 andn ages a rack]; carried on the I-beam 9, so thatwhen theshaft I2 is driven, first in onedirectionand then in the other, the carriage 6 moves toand-fro transversely above the path of the tables 3.

' Another sprocket wheel l9, secured to the shaft I 2, isconnected by a sprocket chain 20 to a sprocket wheel 2| secured to a cutter shaft 22, which is joumaled in brackets 23 secured to the lower side of the carriage 6. Keyed to the shaft 22 are two similar serrated or scallopedcutting disks 24, in spaced relation to each other, and with an intermediatecircular'cutting disk 25, of greater diameter, secured between them. I The purpose of this specific type of cutter will be hereinafter I explained.

The transverse beam 9 is supported at each end by a truck frame 25 and a number of shims 21 are provided between the beam and the truck frame so that the elevation of the beam, andconsequently the depth of cutmay'be adjusted.

' Each truck frame 26-is provided with axles 28 carrying wheels 29 which'are guided for. longitudinal movement on rails 30.- These rails 30 are parallel to the rails 5 and are supported at opposite sides of the path of the tables by stands 3| Each axle 28.carries on its outer end a roller 32 adapted to ride beneath a track 33, which is secured to overhanging extensions 34 of the stands 31, w

Each truck'frame 26 carries a downwardly and inwardly extending bracket 35, on which an arm 36 is pivoted, as shown at 31. This arm is normally held by gravity in a horizontal position, where it rests against a cleat 38 secured to the lower end of the bracket 35. When the arm 36 is in this position, it is in the path of the abutments 39 which are carried by the respective tables. Aseach abutment 39 engages the arm 38, therefore, the cutter carriage 6 and the cutter will move forwardlyin synchronism with the tables.

Aroller 40 is mounted on the underside of each arm 36-, and after the cutter carriage has been moved forwardly with the table for a predetermined distance, the roller 40 engages a cam track 4|, supported .on a stand 42 adjacent the path'of the tables, and raises the arm 36 above the abutment 33, thus permitting the cutter carriage to be returned to its initial position.

. A. convenient device for causing the return movement of the cutter carriage comprises a cable 43 at each side of the runway. Each cable is secured at one end'to-the frames, and passes rearwardlyabout asheave 44'mounted on the rearmost stand 3|. From the sheave 44 the cable 43 passes forwardly and over a sheave 45- which is mounted in the foremost'stand 3| The front end of the'cable 43 is secured to a counterweight 46, which operates in a suitable well provided for the purpose. It will be understood, therefore, that as the carriage 9-25 advances, the counterweights 46 are raised and as soon as the carriage is released from the table it is returned to its initial position by the action of the counter weights. A suitable buffer is provided to stop the carriage at the end of its rearward movement, such a buffer being shown at 41 as secured to the rear end of the rail 30.

The operation of the cutter and its movement acrossthe sheet :is effected through the medium of the electric motor Ill. This "motor, as illustrated, is a reversible alternating current motor and is set in operation by means of cams 48 located on the side of the tables 3. Each cam 48, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 7, is adapted to engage a roller 49 carried at the inner end of a bar 50 slidably mounted in bearings 5| located within a box 52 which may be supported by a bracket 53. The bar 50 carries a pawl 54 which is adapted to engage successively the teeth of a ratchet wheel 55 which is secured on a shaft 56 I within the box 52. The ratchet wheel 55 has eight teeth and each time the roller 49 rides over one of the cams 48, the ratchet wheel is advanced the distance of one tooth or through an angle of 45,the bar 50 being then returned by its spring 50*, so that the pawl 54 engages the next tooth. Secured'to'the'shaft 56 are two disks 5! and 58. A roller 59 is mounted to ride on the periphery of the disk 51, and the latter is provided with two recesses 60. and GI. When the roller 59 enters one of these'recesses, it closes a switch 62. A similar roller 63 is adapted to ride on 'the periphery of the disk 58 which is provided with recesses 64 and 65. When the roller 63 enters one of these recesses, it closes a switch 66.

Current for driving the motor Ill is supplied through line wires,as indicated at L L and L respectively. Two starting switches S and 8, adapted to be operated electrically, are provided for connecting the motor for operation in one direction or the other. When the starter switch S is operated, the line wires L L and L are connected to feed wiresR R and R respectively, which are in turn connected to trolley Wires T T and T respectively. The terminals of the motor III are constantly connected to the trolley wires. When the switch S is operated, theline indicated at 36 so that the arms 35 ride over wires are also connected to the motor l 0,-butin reverse order.

-As. the tables begintheir advance, the disks 51 and 58 are in the" position shown in Fig. 7.

As the first cam 48 comesinto action, the disks are rotated 45, until the roller 59dropsjinto the recess 60 and closes the switch 62. This closes 'thefcircuit through switch S Thiscircuit may be traced from the line wire L through the wire 51, switch 62, wire .63, limit switch ,69, wire"),

switch S and wire 'll to line, wire L It will be understood that each of the limit switches 69 andv 13 are closed except when opened by the engagement therewith of an armlfli mounted on the carriage 6 or some part carriedthereby." As soon as the motoris started, therefore, it will move together withthe carriage} from. the po--' sition shown in Fig. 'lto the other end of the track, where the limit switch 69 opens and cuts offthe current.,, l a

When the next cam 48 comes into action, the disks 51 and 58 are moved through another angle of 45;and the roller .63 enters the recess, closing theswitch 66. r The circuit forf operating switch S is then closed. This circuit may be traced from the line wire L through wire 61,

switch 66, wire [2, limit switch I3, which is now.

i carriage 5, are then' released bythe raising of closed, wire 14, switchS and wire II to line wire L The closing of switch S operates the motor ill in a reverse directionandit then travels back to the position shown in Fig. '7.-

Uponfurther advance of the tables, the notches 6| and'65 come successively into play, causing. the motor to travel again-across the sheet and back again. During the return movement of the tables, after the cut sheets have been stowed in the ovens, the four cams 48 willc'ause the actuation of the ratchet wheel- 55 fourtimes, but since there are no notches on the remaining semicircumference of the two disks 51 and 58, there will be no actuation of the motor l0. 7, i

It will be understood that at .the time when the abutments 39 on any one of the tables engage the arms 36' to move the cutter carriage forwardly in synchronism withthe advance of the tables, the cutter is located exactly in alinement with the space or'recess between twoftable ends. As the'motor is then operated; when the first cam 48 comes into action, the cutter moves from one side of the table to the other side and stops. The truck frames 26, which support the cutter the arms 36 and the cutter carriage is returned t its initial position, except that it is at the other side of the path of the tables. As the second pair of abutments 39 come into action, the cutter carriage is again moved 'forwardly in synchronism with the tables and, by the action of the second cam 48, the cutter is caused to move? again across thetable, but in the opposite direction, tomake another cut. As the third pair of abutments 39 and the third cam I .48 comeinto action, the carriage moves forward- 65 cause the rotation ofthe disks 5leand 58, re-

storing them to the position shown in Fig. 7. The rear face of each arm 36 is beveled as the abutments 39 during the return of the tables.

The construction of the cutter and the mechanism for driving the same h'ave'beendesigned 1 especially with aview-to leaving the plate with anedge of the desiredcharacter and with the adjacentsurface free from waves or wrinkles;

As indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, the cutter is adapted to efiect' a shearing engagement with the iadjae.

peripheral speed of the blades is considerably greater than theirforward travel. As a. consequence, thecutting action is a series of bites, in shearing engagement with the plates 16, while the glass is stretched across or hangs over the same, the'cutting -stroke being downwardly and;

to a certain extentgrearwardlmso that there is no tendency to "push the glass ahead of thecutter, as isthe case when'the usual rotary cutting disk is used.

a'slight do 'wnward divergence, thus permitting the cut out strip or strips 11 to drop freely into a pan improper positionto the end of one of the tables. a

, i The edges ofthe cutting-blades 24 are preferably beveled on the insideso that their fiat faces engage the plates 15. They are keyed to the shaft 22 andare kept in close shearing engagement.

with the plates by coil springs 19 carried bythe central cutting blade 15,: which is mounted on the hubs of the blades 24 and is caused to rotate therewith bypins llwhich alternate with the springs 19.

In utilizing theprinciples upon which our invention is based, it will of course be apparent that the specific construction may vary considerably from that shown' and described, without departing from the essentialfeatures thereof, as claimed.

-What we claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, a series of traveling tables for supporting material to be out, the adjacent ends of said tables being spaced, a cutter carriage, means for periodically moving the carriage forwardly in synchronism with the tables, a rotary transverse cutter supported by said carriage, and meansfor moving i H The plat'esfll are so arranged that they have the carriage transversely across the material during its synchronous travel, said rotary cutter tially midway between the adjacent; table ends and a pair of blades coaxial with the first blade but having a smaller diameter, said last mentioned blades, during their transverse travel.

ing in shearing relation to the adjacent table ends. a

2. In a device for cutting semi-plastic sheets of glass, a series, of traveling tables for supporting glass to be cut, a cutter carriage, means for periodically I moving, the carriage forwardly in synchronism withfthe tables, a rotary transverse cutter supported by said carriage, and means actuated by predetermined movements of the tables to cause the carriage to move transversely across the glass, with the rotary cutter in contact with the glass to cut the same.

3. In a device of thecharacter described, a series of traveling tables for supporting material tobe cut, the adjacent ends of said tables being spaced, a cutter carriage, means for periodically moving the carriage forwardly in synchronism with the tables, a rotarytransverse cutter sup-. ported by said carriage and including a central cutting disk, means actuated by predetermined movements of the tables to cause the carriage to move transversely of'thematerial, and means.

for guiding said carriage so that, the central cutting disk engages the material substantially midway between the adjacent table ends, said cutter also including a pair of cutting blades on opposite sides of the central blade and coaxial therewith but of less diameter, said pair of blades being so located as to effect shearing engagement with the adjacent table. ends during their transverse travel. a

4. In a device for cutting semi-plastic sheets of glass, 9. series of traveling tables for supporting glass to be cut, a support mounted for travel above the path of the tables, means for causing said support to advance periodically in synchrosaid support to advance periodically in syn-' chronism with the tables, a carriage supported for travel transversely of said-support, a rotary disk cutteron saidcarriage disposed transversely ofthe glass, an electric motor, means connected with said motor for causing the carriage to travel across the glass and simultaneously driving the cutter, and means actuated by the forward travel of the tables and said support to operate said motor.

6. The combination with a series of tables mounted for travel to and fro, of a support mounted above the path of the tables, means for periodically causing the support to advance in synchronism with the tables during the forward movement of the latter, a carriage. mounted on said support, a reversibleelectric motor having a driving connection with-said carriage, a cutter on said carriage, means for guiding said carriage to move the cutter across a sheet of material carried by the tables, a starting device for the motor, means operable by the advance of the tables and said support to control said starting device for starting the motor alternately in opposite directions, means for stopping'the motor after each movement-of the cutter, and means for returning said support to its initial position after eachoperation of the motor and before its next operation.

'7. The combination with a series of tables 'mountedfor travel to and fro, of a cutting device,

means for guiding said cutting device to cut a sheet of material carried by the tables, control plurality of sheets, and means rendered operative by the advance of the tables to actuate said control'means and'rendered operative by the return of the tables to restore the control means to its initial position. v

8. In a device for cutting semi-plastic'sheets of glass,a series of traveling tables for supporting the glass to be cut, a support mounted for travel above the path of the tables, a pivoted arm carried bysaid support, abutments carried by said tables and engaging said arm for causing said support to advance periodically in synchronism with the tables, a carriage supported for travel transversely of said support, a rotary transverse cutter supported by said carriage, means for moving the carriage transversely across the glassduring its synchronous travel, with the rotary cutter in contact with said glass to cut the same, and means'for raising said pivoted arm above said abutments so that the support and cutter carriage may be returned to their initial position.

9. In a device for cutting semi-plastic sheets ofglass, a series of tables mounted for travel to and fro'and adapted to support the glass to be cut, a support mounted for travel above the path of the tables, a plurality of pivoted arms carried by'said support, abutments carried by said tables and engaging said arms for causing said support to advance periodically in synchronism with the tables, a carriage supported for travel transversely of said support, a rotary transverse cutter supported by said carriage, means for moving the carriage transversely across the glass during its'synchronous travel, with the rotary cutter in contact with said glass to cut the same, and means for raising said pivoted arms above said abutments so that the support and cutter carriage may be returned to their initial position, one face of each arm being beveled so that the said arms can ride over the said abutments during the return movement of the tables.

10. In a device for cutting semi-plastic sheets of glass, 9. series of traveling tables for supportingthe glass to be cut, a support mounted for travel above the path of the tables, apivoted arm carried by said support, a roller carried by said arm, means engaging said arm for maintaining it in a substantially horizontal position, abutments carriedby the tables and engaging said arm for causing said support to advance periodically in synchronism with the tables, a carriage supported for travel transversely of said support, a rotary transverse cutter supported by said carriage, means for moving the carriage transversely across-the glass during its synchrotnous travel, with the rotary cutter in contact with said'glass to cut the same, and means for raising said pivoted arm above said abutments so that the support andcutter carriage may be returned to their initial position.

, 11. In a device for cutting semi-plastic sheets of glass, a series of traveling tables for supporting the glass to be out, a support mounted for travel above the path of the tables, means for causing said support to advance periodically in synchronism with the tables, a carriage supported for travel transversely of said support, a rotary disc cutter on said carriage disposed transversely of the glass, an electric motor having driving connections with said carriage, a starting device for the motor, and means operable by the advance of the tables and said support to control said starting device.

12. The combination with-a series of tables vice, means for guiding said cutting device; to

cut a sheet of glass carried by the tables, electrical control means for causing said cutting device to 'move intermittently across the glass during the advance oithe tables to cut the glass intoa plurality oi sheets, and means rendered operative by the advance of the tables to actuate said electrical control means, if 18. The combination with a series of tables mounted to travel to and fro, of a cutting device, means for guiding said cutting device to cut a sheet of glass carried by the tables, electrical control means for causing said cuttingdevice 15 2,002,846 mounted to travel to and iro,,of a cutting device acrossthe glass at predetermined intervals. 14. In a devicetor cutting semi-plastic sheets of glass, a series of traveling tablesior supporting the glass to be cut, a support mounted for travel above the path of the tables, means ior causing said support to advance periodically'in synchronism with the'tables, a carriage mounted for travel transversely of said support, a rotary disc cutter on said carriage disposed transversely.

of the glass, a rack bar carried by said support,

tween said motor and cutting disc for rotatingthe latter.

- DAVID H. GOODWILLIE.

mm L. WALTERS. 

